Switching device.



O. M. LEIGH.

SWITCHING DEVICE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 16,1910.

Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEBT 1.

0. M. LEIGH.

SWITCHING DEVICE APPLICATION FILED MAY 16, 1910.

. Patented Feb.23, 1915.

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OSCAR M. LEIGH, OF GENOA, ILLINOIS, AS$IGNOR T0 CRACRAF'I, LEIGH ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF GENOA, ILLINOIS.

SWITCHING DEVICE. I

-- Specification of Letters Patent. Pg hgntqgd Fgh 23 11915 Application filed May is, 1910:. Serial No. 561,652.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that; I, OSCAR M. LEIGH, citizen of the United States, residing at Genoa, in the county of Dekalb and State of Illinois,'have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Switching Devices, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to switching devices and more particularly to hook switches for telephones and is adapted in its preferred embodiment to make interconnections be tween various apparatus at a substation and also to. make certain circuit changes, some of which circuit changes are delayed in the operation of the hook switch, and some of which circuit changes although of an im pulse character have a time element so that said changes may be of a definite duration irrespective of the rapidity of the movement of the hook lever itself.

My invention may take a variety of forms in carrying out the function to be recited herein, but in the form illustrated herein and which I find to be satisfactory in practice, I utilize weight controlled means for giving a time element to the circuit changes. In the preferred form illustrated herein, I

' likewise show means whereby the hook switch lever itself, in making certain interconnections, makes one connection and allows a certain element of time to elapse before establishing a second circuit change.

I will explain my invention more in detail by reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment thereof in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my im- 7 proved hook switch; Fig. 2 is a similar view in its alternative position; Fig. 3 is a side view of the opposite side thereof; Fig. 4.- is a top view; Fig. 5 is a side'elevation similar to Fig. 1 except thatthe parts are shown in an intermediate position, and Fig. 6 is a diagram of circuit arrangement to which I find my device applicable in practice.

In describing this invention I describe it specifically as to the form illustrated herein without meaning to thereby convey the idea that the specific form illustrated and described is the only form which'the invention may take.

Referring therefore to the drawings, I

illustrate a self-contained hook switch which has an t. shaped base plate 1 having an upturned flange 2 and a second flange 3 at right angles to the latter. The flange 2 carries a bolt 4 upon which I pivotally mount an auxiliary lever 5. This auxiliary lever carries at its left hand extremity, Fig. 1, a pin 6 with an insulating roller 7 and carries at its opposite extremity a U shaped carrier having the two sides 8 and 9'. The carrier 8, 9 has pivot points 10 and 11, by virtue of which a weight 12 is rotatably mounted so that said weight may oscillate in either direction being limited by the pin 13 as it engages the top .of the member 9. The device is further provided with an actuating lever 14 removably mounted about the bolt 4 and held in place by a ledge 15 which is a portion of the auxiliary lever 5 and which fits into a recess provided in the lever 14:. A spring 16 securely mountedon the supporting plate 1 presses upwardly against the projection 15 and tends to hold I both the auxiliary lever and the hook switch lever in their uppermost positions as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The lever 14: is removable by merely depressing the auxiliary lever to withdraw the ledge 15 from its recess. The position of the weight 12 is controlled by a spring and the auxiliary lever as will be described hereinafter.

The hook switch itself is designed to effect circuit changes and is therefore provided with a plurality of springs, all of which springs are mounted upon a suitable block of insulated segments 17 secured by means of the screws 18, 18 to the base plate 1, said screws althoughpassing through the springs to be hereinafter described, not touching said springs so that said springs remain insulated from each other where necessary. Projecting toward the left, referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, I show two springs 19 and 20. These springs are adapted to close the receiver circuit including the receiver 21 and the secondary 22 of the induction coil as will be apparent from Fig. 6; I also show springs 23 and 2% which are adapted to close circuit through the transmitter '25 and the primary winding 26 and the talking battery 27. The roller 7 is designed to effect circuit changes between the springs 19, '20, 23 and 24 so that when the lever is in its raised position, as illustrated in Fig. 1, springs 19 lot and 20 are in contact and likewise springs 23 and 24 arein contact. When the hook lever is depressed, however, as shown in Fig. 2 circuit through all of these springs is broken. The delayed contact feature will now be apparent, namely, that thereis an interval when the lever is passing from the position of Fig. 2 to Fig. 1, or vice versa,

at which time the roller 7 is touching neither of the springs 20 or 28. This is shown more clearly in Fig. 5. For this reason circuit through springs 23 and-24 is established as the lever moves from the'position of Fig. 2 to the position of Fig. 1 and then a certain time interval lapses before the roller reaches spring 20 to close circuit between the spring 19 and 20. There are also additional springs mounted on an insulating block 17 which performs new functions and circuit changes and these springs consist of a long central spring 28, an upper spring 29 and a lower spring 80. In either of the limiting positions of the lever or namely, the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2, no contact is established between the springs 28, 29

and 30. Contact between said springs is only established as the lever passes from one limiting position to the other and my improved device enables me to have this, what might be called passing contact continued, during at least an appreciable time interval so that said contact may be of suflici'ent duration to establish the electrical conditions required irrespective of how rapidly the lever 14 may be moved up or down. To accomplish this result, the spring 28 has a forked extremity consisting of the prongs 31 and 32 which engage an insulated roller 83 mounted ofl' center upon the weight 12. Now, when the hook lever 14 moves from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2 it will occupy an intermediate position as shown in Fig. 5. In this instance the lever. is moved downwardly whichraises the U shaped element 8, 9, thereby pressing spring 28 into contact with spring 29 and this contact remains until the pressing of spring 28 downwardly: upon the'roller 33 overcomes the inertia of the weight 12 and permits it to rotate clockwise until it occupies the position as shown in Fig. 2, at which time the pin 13 stops its further progress and at which time the circuit'between springs 28 and 29 is again broken, no circuit having been established during this downward movement between springs 28 and 30. Now, as the lever 14 is raised from the position shown in Fig. 2 the downward movement of the U shaped element 8, 9 lowers the spring 28 into contact with the spring 30 and this contact remains irrespective of the rapidity of move- .ment of the element 14 toward its limiting position of Fig. 1 until such time that the upward pressing of the spring 28 against the roller 33 has overcome the inertia of the weight 12 and rotates it in a contra-clockwise direction until it has reached its central position, whereupon it 18 carried over by its own weight again into the limiting position of Fig. 1, thereby again breaking contact between the springs 28 and 30 so that in either limiting position the springs 28 29 and 30 remain disconnected whereas as the hook lever moves from one position to the other a passing contact is made which has an appreciable time element by virtue of the means employed to effect this result.

In a companion case Serial No. 561,651, filed May 16, 1910, I claim the circuit arrangements illustrated herein together with other of the mechanical features of the device herein shown.

The spring 30 is grounded as shown in Fig. 6 and it will be seen that when the lever is moved from its lower to its higher position, circuit is established through the agency of the springs 28 and 80 around the line wire 34 and ground, including the talking battery 27 and an auxiliary signaling battery 36 in series, whereas when the hook lever is moved downwardly these two batteries send an impulse metallically over the line wires 34 and 35 through the agency of the temporary contact established be tween the springs 28 and 29.

lVhile I have herein. shown and particularly described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not mean to limit myself to the precise construction and arrangement as herein shown, but

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A switching device having switching springs and a lever for actuating same, an automatic delaying means interposed between said lever and said springs whereby with the motion of said lever in either direction the operation of said springs lags behind the movement of the lever.

2. A switching device having switching springs and a controlling lever therefor, means whereby passing contact is established between said springs as the lever moves in either direction from one position to its alternative position, and means interposed between said lever and said springs to increase the duration of said passing contact.

3. A switching device having three switching springs and a controlling lever therefor, means whereby when the lever moves in a given direction momentary contact is established between the first of said switching springs and a second of said springs and when the lever moves in the opposite direction momentary contact is established between the second of said springs and the third of said springs, and yielding means interposed between said lever and said springs.

4:. A switching device having three switching springs and a controlling lever therefor, means whereby when the lever moves in a given direction momentary circuit change is effected between the first of said switching springs and a second of said springs and when the lever moves in the op posite direction momentary circuit change is efiected between the second of said springs and the third of said springs, and yielding means interposed between said lever and said springs.

5. A switching device having switching springs and a lever for actuating same, and yielding means interposed between said lever and one of said springs, said yielding means including a trigger controlled weight.

6. A switching device having switching springs and a lever for actuating same, and yielding means interposed between said lever and one of said springs, said yielding means including a weight, and means whereby one of said springs engages said weight eccentrically.

7. A switching device having switching springs and a lever for actuating same, and yielding means interposed between said lever and one of said springs, said yielding means including a pivotally mounted weight.

8. A switching device having switching springs and a lever for actuating same, and yielding means interposed between said lever and one of said springs, said yielding means including a pivotally mounted weight, and means whereby one of said springs engages said weight eccentrically.

9. A switching device having switching means, a lever for actuating same, a delaying means interposed between said lever and said first aforesaid means whereby upon movement of the lever in either direction the operation of said switching means lags behind the movement of said lever.

10. A switching device having switching means, a lever for momentarily actuating same, and trigger means controlled jointly by said lever and switching means for prolonging the duration of contact.

11. A device of the character described consisting of a pair of switching springs, a lever for actuating said springs, trigger controlling means interposed between said lever and said springs, and resilient means cooperating with said trigger controlling means to control the actuation of said springs.

12. A device of the character described consisting of a pair of switching springs, a lever for actuating said springs, trigger controlling means interposed between said lever and said springs, and a spring cooperating with and controlling said trigger controlling means.

13. In a device of the character described the combination with a pair of switching springs, a lever movable from one alternative position to the other, a trigger carried by said lever having two alternative positions and adapted when said lever is moved to actuate said springs and to discontinue actuation thereof when said trigger is moved into its alternative position, and resilient means interposed between said trigger to control the actuation of said springs.

14. In a device of the character described the combination with a pair of switching springs, a lever movable from one alternative position to the other, a trigger carried by said lever having two alternative positions and adapted when said lever is moved to actuate said springs and to discontinue actuation thereof when said trigger is moved into its alternative position, and resilient means cooperating with said trigger for moving said trigger when it reaches its critical position.

It witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this sixth day of May A. D., 1910.

OSCAR M. LEIGH.

Witnesses:

HAZEL James, A. LYDA JoNEs.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing" the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G. 

